Tag Archives: Building Management Systems

GJD exhibited at Integrated Systems Europe (ISE) for the first time this year, with the exhibition proving to be a great success for the company. The business introduced its TechSmartbrand, which consists of IP-enabled precision perimeter motion sensors and LED illuminators.

GJD’s TechSmartrange is well suited for a wide range of categories including smart buildings, security lighting and access control in the commercial sector.

Mark Tibbenham, GJD’s managing director, commented: “Thank You to everyone who contributed to making ISE 2018 a success for GJD. We’re thrilled that we had lots of interest about our IP solutions. The exhibition was a great opportunity for us to meet new customers and demonstrate our product range. We’ve re-booked for next year and very much looking forward to exhibiting again.”

TechSmart is Control 4, Crestron and RTI-ready. The range is easily integrated with existing building management systems. Products can also be installed as stand-alone intelligent IP devices to enable custom integrators to create smart actions that suit specific end user customer requirements.

Tina Baker, software development manager at integrated security solutions manufacturer TDSi, is celebrating 13 years of service with the company. Having reached this impressive milestone, Baker has also been reflecting on the developments and evolution of the security software industry and what this could lead to in the future.

“Since I joined TDSi there have been enormous changes in the security industry, especially in the software systems and applications connected to them,” urged Baker. “TDSi has been leading the move towards fully-integrated security software for a number of years now, and it’s gratifying to see the rest of the industry has followed suit as well.”

Baker began her career in security when she answered a job advert for a summer placement on display at Bournemouth University while nearing the end of a degree course in Software Engineering. “I knew that software would dominate many industries and wanted a career that would allow constant growth. I wanted to gain more experience developing software using different programming languages and TDSi offered me the opportunity that I was looking for.”

TDSI’s Tina Baker: reflecting on 13 years with the Poole-based security solutions developer

Baker’s personal development has fittingly mirrored that of TDSi and the security industry it supplies. “TDSi has really nurtured my personal development, right from software programmer to development manager. At the same time, the industry has become far more integrated with building management systems which now commonly incorporate intruder alarms systems and CCTV as well as access control.”

A view of the future

While reflecting on the past and present, Baker also has an eye firmly fixed on the future and is clear on how she believes the security software sector will develop: “All the signs are that there will be continued and increased integration with building management systems, especially to comply with environmental legislation.”

Baker continued: “We will also see further biometric integration to heighten security and remove the need for ID cards. The market is also demanding more bi-directional integration, with security systems working even more closely with one another. More and more, we’re being asked for our SDKs so that other security companies can integrate our systems into theirs.”

Baker also has advice for young people looking for a career in security software development. “You need to enjoy continually learning new skills if you’re to keep up with the changes in technology. It’s also important to have a keen understanding of the close connection between physical access security and software security. Further systems integration means that the prevention of cyber attacks is essential.”

Focused and interested

When asked what has kept her focused on and interested in working for TDSi, Baker concluded: “The company champions professional development of its employees and, on a personal level, I really enjoy the interesting challenges that TDSi faces with ever-increasing integration needs. It’s a great company to work for, and I very much look forward to seeing what the future will bring in terms of technology and progress.”

Integrated security solutions developer TDSi has announced that its EXgarde Enterprise solution has been shortlisted in the Access Control Software category of the Benchmark Innovation Awards 2016. Organised by Risk UK’s sister title Benchmark Magazine, these awards recognise products, systems or services that enhance and advance the delivery of secure, flexible and beneficial security solutions for end users.

John Davies, managing director of TDSi, commented: “We’re very excited that EXgarde Enterprise is a finalist in these industry-recognised and respected awards. EXgarde is a flagship software solution within our integrated security portfolio, offering complete control of any security and access control situation all from one central portal. We look forward to hearing the result when it’s announced in July.”

EXgarde is a fully-featured access management PC software application that combines an intuitive GUI and powerful integration capabilities in a single package. Supporting multiple doors as standard, with the option to extend this with an unlimited door licence, EXgarde meets the needs of even the largest of access control networks.

With EXgarde, integration and expansion are key features and there are numerous possibilities to integrate with the latest CCTV and biometric technologies. The software is compatible with many otherwise disparate security systems, both from TDSi and other manufacturers, including third party ODBC databases (using SDK or predefined protocol), building management, fire and intruder systems, DVR equipment and biometric readers.

ADT has been awarded a five-year extension to its existing contract with UK food retailer Iceland. The companies have been working together since 2009 to upgrade security systems and improve safety for Iceland’s customers and staff, as well as better protect all merchandise.

Following on from successful audit results, ADT’s remit has now been extended such that the Tyco business will now provide intruder alarms, CCTV maintenance, fire and freezer monitoring solutions for all existing and new Iceland stores.

Iceland is one of the fastest-growing and most innovative food retailers in the UK with over 850 stores nationwide. In 2009, the Iceland estates team began a major project to overhaul the safety and security of its stores and, as such, appointed ADT to complete an in-depth review of the retailer’s risks and requirements.

In the five years that followed, the teams from Iceland and ADT worked together to deliver a comprehensive upgrade of the existing intruder alarm and signalling path systems. In addition, significant improvements were made in the monitoring of security alarms (including freezer alarms should a unit fail) to ensure Iceland’s assets were also better protected.

Tyco business ADT has been awarded a five-year extension to its existing contract with major UK food retailer Iceland

A collaborative approach was crucial with such a vast upgrade and, together, the teams from Iceland and ADT achieved a cost-effective upgrade with minimal disruption to Iceland’s staff (who needed to continue to use the systems while work continued).

In addition, as a result of the installation of Galaxy alarm systems throughout the estate – which are PD6662 compliant and recognised by UK police services – ADT was able to increase the number of Iceland stores benefiting from police response from 200 to over 800 outlets.

Improvements to safety and security

“ADT presented us with the best commercial and economic solution that could improve the safety and security of our stores,” explained Duncan Miles, head of security at Iceland. “The upgrade of our alarm panels and dual path monitoring systems – IP and GPRS – has resulted in increased protection for our stores and ensured a more robust signalling platform.”

Miles added: “The majority of false alarms and faults can be dealt with remotely, in turn negating the impact on our store teams and operation. The fact that we’ve extended our contract with ADT for a further five years is a testament to the positive results of the original work.”

As stated, ADT’s remit includes intruder, fire and freezer alarm monitoring systems as well as the maintenance of Iceland’s CCTV systems. In addition, the solution also adds value by connecting to the company’s BMS to assist with energy management and the reduction of costs.

“Ultimately,” concluded Miles, “our long-term partnership with ADT and the collaborative working methods adopted means that we are pro-actively protecting our customers, staff and assets.”

Robert Moore considers what constitutes Best Practice in both the use and monitoring of safety showers in hazardous working environments.

Manufacturing facilities can be dangerous places. Even with the most stringent Health and Safety procedures in place, accidents can – and occasionally do – happen, and the consequences can be serious.

The level of risk clearly increases depending on the environment. Risk may arise from the machinery and moving parts. It may stem from the manufacturing process, working with intense heat or high power, or it may come from materials used within the manufacturing process (with perhaps the greatest risk coming from hazardous chemicals).

The risk posed by liquid chemicals is not so much one of ingestion but rather from spillages and/or the liquid being accidentally splashed onto clothes or skin. The most dangerous scenario, of course, is when a chemical finds its way into someone’s eyes.

Manufacturers – and indeed their counterparts in laboratories and pharmaceutical facilities – have long since identified this risk and have taken steps to limit potential harm to their employees. Wash stations are de rigeur, as are safety showers in the event that the body needs to be fully immersed.

Standards governing safety shower design and performance

Remarkably, despite the essential nature of such equipment, ensuring a business is ‘compliant’ from a Health and Safety perspective is somewhat confusing since there are only a few recognised standards specifically governing the design and performance of safety showers.

The provision of safety showers can undoubtedly prevent serious injury and even save lives

What standards are there? Unfortunately, there appears to be no complete EU or UK standard that covers all types of shower for all types of installation. The existing EN15154 standard has four completed parts that cover plumbed-in showers in laboratories and plumbed-in eye showers in both laboratories and industrial/logistics sites as well as tank showers (non-plumbed) for all sites. However, there’s no finalised standard covering plumbed-in showers for industrial (non-lab) sites.

The lack of clear EU standards doesn’t mean that an employer can install any form of shower and ‘get away with it’. They must abide by clear legal requirements to provide appropriate First Aid equipment, but the lack of an agreed standard does make the definition of ‘appropriate’ difficult to determine. Perhaps employers could look further afield for advice, and more specifically turn to our friends in the US?

America’s ANSI Z358.1-2004/2009 is a more or less holistic standard covering most types of shower and eye bath. Its scope is for all types of working environments. The thoroughness of this standard means it has become the essential reference point for those employers seeking Best Practice.

Similarly, the German DIN 12899-3:2009 standard covers plumbed and tank body showers for industrial and logistics sites, thus plugging the substantial gap in the current European norm. Indeed, it’s believed that the German standard will be followed when Part Five of the EU legislation is finally completed.

What does Best Practice look like?

Employers have a responsibility to ensure that a shower will work when it’s needed. Best Practice would include an audit of when a shower was last used. It would also include some form of alert mechanism to show when the shower had been activated – especially at a time when an individual may be working alone.

Technology is there to assist. A Limitless™ wireless switch, for example, can be easily installed on existing safety shower units and integrated with local or central alarms, building management systems and CCTV, not only to improve critical first alert response times in the event of an accident, but also to provide an audit trail of when each safety shower/eye wash station has been used. In addition, this supports employers in documenting their Health and Safety obligations.

Being wireless, it enables any washing facility – regardless of where it may be located on site – to be centrally located and tracked such that, if an emergency should occur, help is always close at hand. The switch can be manually operated or set to automatically trigger an alarm the moment a valve is opened. It can be quickly and easily fitted retrospectively to any shower installation without the need for trenching for cable or conduit, or included at the point of manufacture.

Robert Moore: Product Director (EMEA) for Electromechanical Switches and Test and Measurement Products at Honeywell Sensing and Control

The solutions are available in two wireless protocols. First, there’s a Limitless™ point-to-point protocol where switches transmit directly with a receiver. In this case, the protocol allows for lost connectivity and low battery diagnostics.

Second, a ‘OneWireless’ multi-application, multi-standard wireless network that can be tailored to offer the network coverage needed for large industrial applications. Field devices mesh, allowing for multiple RF transmission pathways.

Prevention is better than cure

Having a shower installed does not in itself ensure that an employer has met their Health and Safety obligations, and neither does it ensure the safety of the employee.

Prevention, so the saying has it, is better than cure. The provision of such equipment can undoubtedly prevent serious injury and even save lives. By adopting Best Practice, and referencing those standards that are available, an employer will know that they’ve done all they can to mitigate the risk.

Robert Moore is Product Director (EMEA) for Electromechanical Switches and Test and Measurement Products at Honeywell Sensing and Control